Chapter 571: Simulation Universe: Gold and Machinery (19)

Thus: Ruan Mei said nothing, but the star could sense a certain elusive pleasure from the curve of her eyes… she was enjoying this slight "excitement".

"Some data have run to their end," she said, "All things are merely particles; after gathering they disperse. Only the universe remains eternally ancient."

"And they forever stare," Luo Si Gu Mu said.

"Alright, alright, let's not make the atmosphere so heavy; it's time for my favorite part!" Hei Ta suddenly excited, she lifted onto her tiptoes, "Silent Lord! You did well, I mean, truly outstanding— I want to see you! Can you hear me?"

In the simulated universe no one answered; it was very quiet, not even a whisper of wind.

"#27 【Emperor】 Rupert was killed by #4 【Silent Lord】," Thus: Ruan Mei cleared her throat, still summarizing in her calm voice, her words being stored as data in the simulated universe's system, "His calculation contains neither #27's name nor #4; it only states the result: in that instant, the Emperor's life and its empire ended simultaneously."

"Then, what about the traces of the other Star Gods?"

"【Mi Si】… I saw its trace," Thus: Ruan Mei mused.

"Uh… 【Aha】's laughter," Stephen hesitated a bit, "but it could be fake; it can do anything."

"【Hu】's brilliance was also captured by the simulated universe," Thus: Ruan Mei continued, "The more the war flames blaze, it will not stand by idly. Yet, in any case, the 【Shi Ke】 in the Sage‑Lord's calculation is fulfilled, as if no force can move it; perhaps some Star God has tried, perhaps none have."

"Is it possible that the simulated universe ultimately stems from a genius's hand, and the thing that cannot stop it is not the simulated Star Gods but our own intellect?" Hei Ta spread her hands, "The familiar one—I miss the day it glanced at me, I miss the feeling of seeking knowledge from it. Time passes, yet it remains eternally unchanged, how fascinating… Well, should we go out now?"

"Question: there remains one unresolved matter," Luo Si Gu Mu said, "Does this spacetime contain any trace of Rupert II?"

"Impossible," Ruan Mei considered, but she showed a hesitant expression. After a moment of thought she abandoned the inference, "I know you care about him, but Rupert II could not appear in such an ancient spacetime."

"Uh… let's discuss when there's a chance," Hei Ta spread her hands, "I think these things are enough to handle the company. Next time, we can try a purer simulation."

——

Zero Zone.

Reminder to all citizens: some defense force mechanical units are experiencing temporary system failures; technicians are urgently troubleshooting and repairing. Please remain calm and avoid approaching.

Additionally, the municipal department advises citizens to temporarily stay away from all types of Bangbu.

To facilitate fault investigation and ensure citizen safety, it is recommended that citizens refrain from going out unless necessary…

…

Tsk.

Inside Bai Qi Heavy Industries, an unabashed smacking sound rang out; Ke Lei Da crossed her arms, leaning against the halted tracks of the drilling machine Miss, her brows knit as she stared at the huge screen in the distance, which was scrolling emergency news.

A 'fault'? Just a simple 'fault'? The government guys really are euphemistic, when in fact defense mechs implanted with anti‑organic equations are slaughtering their own troops! And they just lightly call it a 'fault'?

From beside, Xiong Xiren's broad palm held a computer; compared with Ke Lei Da's impatience, I was surprisingly calm: "There's no other way, President. If the news outright announced that all defense mechs were out of control, the ensuing unrest would be worse. At least saying so shows an effort to maintain order."

With the death of Emperor Rupert in the heavens, the anti‑organic equations within those machines all ceased—but the loss remained massive; not only were all Bangbu cores affected, but almost every machine related to 'intelligence' was paralyzed.

"Ge Li Si… have we tallied our losses here? Any large anti‑cave operation machines that escaped unharmed?"

Ge Li Si did not answer immediately, but walked to the CNC panel of her beloved drilling machine Miss… No matter how she operated, the machine seemed 'dead', unresponsive.

She inhaled deeply, her chest heaved sharply, her face showing an indescribable heartache and frustration, her voice almost squeezed from between her teeth: "…total annihilation."

Meanwhile, inside the Whista Academy.

The laboratory door swung open with a 'pop'.

"Senior Qingyi, what happened?!"

Zhu Yuanfeng burst in, flaring with anger; the moment he entered he saw Qingyi lying inside a glass vessel, countless tubes inserted into her back, apparently transporting something.

"Her personal consciousness was affected by the anti‑organic equation," a researcher in a white coat approached. "Officer Zhu Yuan, what happened when you and Qingyi were in the cavity? Could you tell us in detail?"

Zhu Yuan nodded, lowered his head and recalled: "At that time, the senior and I were apprehending a cave‑thief inside the cavity, but the opponent attracted many skeletons; yet for some reason at that moment…"

At this point, Zhu Yuan's gaze flickered away: "Senior Qingyi suddenly seemed like a different person, attacking me, but I luckily evaded. Yet the senior did not pursue me, instead targeting the skeletons in the cavity… Later the senior went deeper and deeper until she collapsed from lack of power. I only later learned about the anti‑organic equation…"

"Alright, I understand, Officer Zhu Yuan, you may go back for now; once Qingyi is restored, she'll naturally be sent to your criminal‑investigation task force."

——

"During this bad‑debt recovery cycle, Pinokangni has been reintegrated into the company's equity structure. However, we have paid a steep price—"

In the darkness, Pinokangni fell like a heavy weight, thundering down, precisely pressing on the pan of one side of the scale. The other side… was shattered Shajin Stone, which formed a delicate balance with Pinokangni, yet any weight could tip the scale to the opposite side.

Ten glass‑like fragments surrounded the scale, encircling the Shajin mass.

"Therefore, Diamond summons everyone, and I preside over the punitive resolution against Shajin, stripping its 'Stone‑Heart Ten' qualification."

On the splendid roulette, Shajin hurls the Foundation Stone, gaining countless chips that cascade onto the wheel… thus a gamble is established.

"We all once swore to cherish the Foundation Stone as if it were life, but Shajin's death (destruction) is a necessary part of the plan."